Even more bizarre was at the time I was working in Tooting, this company amalgamated with another engineering company based in Brixton. I was promoted to assistant manager and told to commute to Brixton. This was 1981. As you can image I had a right old jolly up there!

Anyway, the manager I thought was a bit strange. He'd always eat lunch, salted radishes, from a plastic supermarket carrier bag. He seemed very distant until he wanted something then he would spring into life for about 20 secs. All very surreal.

Years later he made the TV and newspapers for driving a WWII tank around Croydon. From what I can remember, he was protesting about a fine he got for planting a huge stuffed fish on the roof of his semi. In his protest he purchased a tank.

Sounds like stuff of fiction, but it's absolutely true. Can't be accused of leading a boring life.

Back on topic, not heard yet from the ma-in-law regarding my terseish email. Crash helmets at the ready for me.

"Mr Gladden hit back by displaying other eye-catching items at his home, such as a tank in his front garden, a Spitfire on his roof, a huge rocket launcher and an inflatable version of Winston Churchill."

"Mr Gladden hit back by displaying other eye-catching items at his home, such as a tank in his front garden, a Spitfire on his roof, a huge rocket launcher and an inflatable version of Winston Churchill."

Mad as a buzzard. John Gladden was - and still is by the look of it - a fragile character.

I begged the parent company in Tooting to take me back, even demanding a pay drop. They obliged.

EDIT - I also seem to remember he blamed me for the riots. While all this was going on, the whole area was barricaded off for about 3-4 days, accusing me of "inciting" the aggro.